As part of its committed belief in enhancing transparent government work and boosting the knowledge economy through the provision of easy access to information of government data published by the governmental entities, the eGovernment Authority (eGA) has recently organized a workshop about an open data platform initiative for a variety of ICT companies that are headquartered in Bahrain.

The workshop comes as part of implementing the National eGovernment Strategy 2016 action plans and initiatives carried out in order to facilitate government formalities- allowing an open data - excluding the confidential and personal- accessible for the public that will contribute in attracting and promoting investment in the Kingdom.

This would be achieved by creating an appropriate climate for promising investments with sustainable and competitive advantages in line with the objectives of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

At the beginning of the workshop, the authority's Vice CEO Dr. Zakareya Ahmed AlKhaja welcomed the delegates to the workshop and highlighted that the open and unified data platform initiative aims to offer easy access to all data published by several ministries and governmental entities, as well as contribute in supporting existing and new businesses. In addition, the benefits of the available data are not limited to existing organizations only but to creative projects and commercial businesses which plan to expand or carry on their business in Bahrain. The profit will be through gaining benefits from the use of available data with easily processed and re-used formulas designed to serve their commercial activities in a competitive environment; as well as providing incentives for investments among companies and businesses.

AlKhaja added that the eGovernment Authority is keen in collaboration with the governmental entities on giving access of public data to the general public, devising a strategy for open data in order to enhance transparency, as well as encouraging electronic involvement in accordance with the latest and best internationally recognized practices in this area. He further noted that access to the open data platform allows nationals and businesses to perform accurate research through gaining benefits from the availability of data, restructuring the data and using it to develop various services and products.

Dr. Zakareya also stated that the authority is also keen on gaining benefits from ideas and initiatives of the private sector through promoting partnerships with such revenue-generating sector as it is critical for the national economy. Through this meeting, light was shed on the private sector's requirements and their needs were comprehended by positively listening to their valuable feedback and comments which actively contribute in the decision-making process and policies developed by the eGA, as well as offer added value for the requested services; as a discussion took place over the favored mechanisms of the type of data which can be developed.

New concepts and initiatives, adopted by the private sector companies, were addressed during the workshop along with the latest trends on open data platforms. It was agreed with the private sector to hold regular meetings to identify the sustainable developments and requirements that serves the knowledge economy.